These characters combine to paint a vivid picture: “Gather (集) thoughts (思) to broaden (广) the benefits (益).” The logic is straightforward and elegant—by collecting a wide array of ideas, you expand the potential for a positive outcome for everyone involved.
集思广益 is deeply rooted in Chinese collectivist values, where the harmony and success of the group often take precedence over individual achievement. The idiom reflects a management and social philosophy that values consensus and comprehensive input. A leader who calls for everyone to 集思广益 is not seen as weak or indecisive, but rather as wise, humble, and respectful of the group's collective talent. A useful Western comparison is “brainstorming,” but there's a key difference in emphasis. Brainstorming often focuses on the rapid generation of a high quantity of ideas without initial judgment. 集思广益, while also about idea generation, carries a stronger connotation of seeking quality and diverse perspectives to arrive at a well-considered, beneficial solution. It’s less about a chaotic storm of ideas and more about a structured collection of wisdom. The end goal—the “benefit” (益)—is explicitly part of the idiom itself, which is not the case for “brainstorming.”
This idiom is formal but widely used and understood in various contexts.
The connotation is almost always positive. It's a call for productive collaboration and is seen as a hallmark of good leadership and effective teamwork.